British Olympian Beth Dobbin has detailed the profound and life-altering impact of her Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) diagnosis, revealing she is now largely bedbound.
Dobbin, 32, who competed for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, shared that she is confined to bed for more than 22 hours daily, only rising to eat and use the bathroom. Simple activities like conversing or attending medical appointments can trigger debilitating 'crashes' that can last for months. In 2026, she has only left her home on five occasions.
ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is defined by the NHS as a 'chronic' condition characterized by extreme tiredness that is not alleviated by rest. Other common symptoms include insomnia, cognitive difficulties such as problems with thinking and memory, nausea, headaches, and pain. The disease has no known cure or specific treatment.
In an emotional interview with BBC Sport, Dobbin, who retired from athletics earlier this year due to a 'serious and life-changing health issue,' described her experience as "life-decimating." She expressed a sense of loss, stating, "I feel like I've lost everything. I have still got my family, but I've lost my independence, my health, the ability to work, the ability to exercise."
Dobbin's health struggles began after testing positive twice for COVID-19 and experiencing glandular fever during the winter of 2021-22. Although she didn't realize the severity of her illness initially, she started noticing symptoms like soreness and increased sleepiness, alongside a slight dip in her athletic performance. Further tests did not yield definitive answers.
Her condition worsened during the 2022 Commonwealth Games, European Championships, and World Championships, a period she has since termed a "year of hell." During this time, she experienced soreness, dizziness, sleep disturbances, and a sore throat. Her performance suffered, notably with a false start at the European Championships attributed to a loss of feeling in her legs on the starting blocks.
"When the Europeans had finished, I had this huge rest and the symptoms were just piling on," Dobbin recounted. "Things were getting worse and worse. I was struggling to stand up, I was sleeping loads, in bed all the time."
After attempting to return to training six weeks later, she managed only three weeks before her health deteriorated further. Doctors were reportedly surprised by her continued poor condition, given the viruses had occurred months prior.
Dobbin described the sensation of her body "shutting down," adding that "it feels like you are a few days from death." She explained that even sitting up for extended periods is exhausting, and while propping herself up in bed reduces the severity of her symptoms, it does not eliminate them.
She rejects the label 'chronic fatigue syndrome,' asserting that fatigue is only one of her numerous symptoms. Reflecting on her future, Dobbin acknowledged it appears "very bleak." However, she expressed hope that increased medical attention on ME, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, might lead to future breakthroughs. Dobbin stated her intention to speak out to raise awareness, believing that athletes' voices may carry more weight with the public and medical community.